Tongan farmers waiting for rain [1]
Thursday, October 6, 2016 - 21:48
Tongan farmers might expect some rain early next week to relieve the current dry conditions in Tongatapu, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Niuafo’ou, according to the Tonga Meteorology Department today.
However, water conservation is still advised as below average rainfall is persisting for the season.
Currently there is low level moisture in the soil due to the below average rainfall conditions in July and in September.
"The next good rains that could relieve dry conditions in Niuafo’ou, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua could be Monday and Tuesday, 10th and 11th of this month - but that is a medium range forecast and is liable to change so water rationing is advised," Tonga Met advised.
At the same time, the extended rainfall outlook for the next three-months is likely to be around average.
"Care should be taken as the average rainfall around October and November is around the 100mm mark in many places and may not be enough rain for farmers and water sensitive sectors. Especially if further below average rainfall persists. Irrigation, water storage and water rationing is still advised for water sensitive sectors in the coming three-months."
Outer islands
To date, Niuafo’ou has seen below average rainfall, with only the April monthly total exceeding the long term monthly average.
On the other hand, Niuatoputapu has seen a high variation in terms of monthly rainfall with the effect of the 2015-16 El Nino visible with the very dry period during the summer months (January to March). Later on there was dry spells during May, July and August but very wet during April, June and September.
Vava’u had also seen a high variation in monthly rainfall variability with the effects of the 2015-16 El Nino with the dry period except February, during the summer months (January to April).
The February above average rainfall was due mainly to the rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Winston. Later on in the year there was some good rain in May, June and August but then it was very dry in July and September.
Ha’apai rainfall also showed high variations from the usual monthly average with five of the nine months recorded so far in 2016, recording higher than average rainfall in February, March, May, June and August and below average rainfall in January, April, July and September.
Tongatapu’s rainfall distribution for this year so far is very similar to Ha’apai with good rains prevailing over the usually drier months of April to June.
Although there was also good rain in August, the drier than normal conditions in July and in September meant there is already water stress experienced starting this month.